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There’s still all to play for in the English Premier League as we race through winter. Arsenal enjoy a six-point cushion over nearest rivals Man City, with the pacesetters hosting Sunderland on Saturday night. Pep Guardiola’s team aim to keep pace when visiting Anfield on Sunday night. Could we see Mikel Arteta’s contenders pull further clear?
The race for a top-four finish and spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League is gathering pace. Seven teams hold realistic hopes of making the cut, with another five clubs carrying an outside chance. At the opposite end of the table, West Ham, Burnley and Wolves look the most likely trio to be playing in the Championship come the final tally.
There’s a lot to interest EPL followers, armchair fans, and football punters this weekend. The leading online bookmakers offer over 100 pre-match betting markets on each fixture, with new players qualifying for a welcome bonus free bet. Keep reading as experienced football content writer Frank Monkhouse guides readers through his six data-led predictions.
Leeds vs Nottingham Forest, Saturday, 7am AEDT
We open the show in West Yorkshire, where two struggling Premier League teams collide. Leeds United hold the home advantage at Elland Road and hope to make it count as they battle to distance themselves from the danger zone. Visitors Nottingham Forest are one place below their opponents in 17th, with both teams six points above relegation.
Leeds have scored 31 goals, which is more than Everton in ninth, but they’ve conceded 42 goals, which is just three shy of bottom club Wolves. That proves where the locals’ problems lie, and that leaky defence conceded four goals when Arsenal were in town last weekend. Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in four, edging Brentford 2-0 in their previous road trip.
Given the home team’s impressive scoring stats, leaky defence, and Forest’s recent form, we’re backing both teams to score. A bet on BTTS landed when these rivals met back in November and in five of the previous seven encounters. Forest beat Leeds 3-1 last year, with Leeds winning 2-1 when the Tricky Trees last visited. Add BTTS to your multis.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 1.80 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Leeds and Forest to score at least one goal each.
Man Utd vs Tottenham, Saturday, 11:30pm AEDT
Moving to the first of a spectacular seven-match programme on Saturday night. The curtain goes up in style as Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford before a sell-out crowd and huge TV audience. The teams shared four goals in London last time, but I fancy the in-form Man Utd to go one better and add another three points to their tally.
Michael Carrick has breathed life into United’s season, and they are the only team in the top flight without a defeat in their previous six starts. That run consists of three draws on the bounce, before beating Man City 2-0 at Old Trafford, Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates, and Fulham at Saturday’s venue last week. That impressive run has United back in the top four.
The driving force behind Man Utd’s form is the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes. The club captain has led by example this term, recording nine assists in his last nine Premier League appearances. It’s worth sticking with that trend and backing Fernandes to score or assist in Saturday night's match. He was last on the scoresheet in a 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Tip: Fernandes to score or assist @ 1.61 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Bruno Fernandes gets on the scoresheet or provides an assist for a teammate, you’ll beat the bookies.
Arsenal vs Sunderland, Sunday, 2:00am AEDT
Arsenal play their second home match of the week after hosting neighbours Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday morning. The Gunners welcome Sunderland on Saturday night, and neutrals hope for a repeat performance after watching these sides fight out a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light late last year. The stats point to more goals.
When browsing the latest head-to-head stats available on the Flashscore app, we see a bet on both teams to score landed in each of the previous two meetings and five of seven. In that period, the aggregate score is Arsenal 19-6 Sunderland. Those looking for higher odds may wish to try their luck on both teams to score in an Arsenal win.
We’re happy to play it safe and stick with the BTTS market. Arsenal kept a clean sheet when thumping Leeds last weekend, but conceded four in their previous three league games at the Emirates. Sunderland conceded three at the London Stadium in their last away day. They leaked eight goals in four away matches in all competitions during January, scoring three.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 2.37 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The match-winner isn’t important here. You need both Arsenal and Sunderland to score at least one goal each in Saturday’s match.
Wolves vs Chelsea, Sunday, 2:00am AEDT
Molineux provides the setting as the Premier League’s lowest-ranked team takes on an opponent driving at a top-four finish. Wolverhampton Wanderers have won only one of their previous 24 starts and are rock bottom of the division as a result. They are the lowest scorers in the EPL, suffered back-to-back 2-0 defeats, and haven’t found the net in three.
Keep those stats in mind when looking at Chelsea’s recent form. The Blues have collected nine points in their last three games, beating West Ham 3-2, Crystal Palace 3-1, and Brentford 2-0. The FIFA Club World Cup champions also take confidence from banking two wins over Saturday’s opponent already this term, scoring a combined seven goals.
Given Wolves’ woeful form this season and Chelsea’s winning streak, we’re on the away win. The odds on another victory for Chelsea are tight, so we search for value in the anytime scorer market. The in-form Enzo Fernandez will play an important role in banking the three points. He arrives with four goals in his last six EPL starts and can add to that tally here.
Tip: Fernandez to score @ 3.60 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Enzo Fernandez scoring first is every bit as good as him netting a late winner. If he scores, your bet wins.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace, Monday, 1:00am AEDT
The first of a Sunday night double header from the Premier League pairs the Seagulls and Eagles at Falmer Stadium. The hosts set up winless in four, drawing three and losing the spare. They scored a 2-0 over Burnley at this venue last month, but have conceded in every match since, including a 1-1 home draw with Everton last weekend. I expect more goals.
A bet on both teams to score landed in each of Brighton’s last five in all competitions, including a famous 2-1 win over Man Utd at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. That becomes more interesting when we learn that opponents Crystal Palace opened February with a two-goal draw at the City Ground. Both teams scored in each of the Eagles’ last four outings.
The recent form of both clubs show they’ve had no issues in front of goal, but have serious problems keeping clean sheets. We line up a bet on both teams to score in Sunday’s match, and the head-to-head stats support that approach. A bet on BTTS turned a profit in four of the last five meetings, including a 3-1 away win when Palace were last in East Sussex.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 1.70 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You want to see a goalfest here, with Brighton and Crystal Palace getting at least one each.
Liverpool vs Man City, Monday, 3:30am AEDT
We’ve saved the best for last. This fixture has provided each of the previous eight Premier League champions, with Liverpool winning two titles and Man City banking six. The rivals have also given fans some fantastic games at this world-famous stadium over the years, including a 2-0 home win when the Reds last hosted the Cityzens in December 2024.
Man City start second in the league, but have won only two of their last six games. Liverpool are sixth in the table, managing just one win in six. Both clubs are out of form, suggesting Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola may see a draw as a decent result. The rivals have both drawn four of six, with City throwing away a two-goal lead to draw with Spurs last time.
With a competitive 90 minutes ahead, it’ll take a star player to grab the headlines, and we’re on the in-form Hugo Ekitike doing just that. He’s the Premier League’s highest scorer since the start of December, and there’s plenty more to come. He got three of Liverpool’s ten goals against Qarabag in the Champions League and Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Tip: Ekitike to score @ 2.20 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Followers want to see Hugo Ekitike continue his impressive scoring stats on Sunday.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.